Snap action hair holding means



June 25, 1968 A. SIDELMAN 3,389,709

SNAP ACTION HAIR HOLDING MEANS Flled March 4, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Jbraham Szlialman ATTORNEY A. SIDELMAN SNAP ACTION HAIR HOLDING MEANS Filed March 4, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet :9.

June 25, 1968 INVENTOR 0 Abraham Sidelman ATTORNEY June 25, 1968 A. SIDELMAN 3,389,709

SNAP ACTION HAIR HOLDING MEANS Filed March 4, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 29' 9- 129.13. M a la J0 82 I 76 e6 Abrdh im Sldelman ea F9. J1. BY a ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,389,709 SNAP ACTION HAIR HOLDING MEANS Abraham Sidelman, 13 Doctor Frank Road, Spring Valley, N.Y. 10977 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 265,383, Mar. 15, 1963. This application Mar. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 531,668

4 Claims. (Cl. 132-46) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 265,383, filed on Mar. 15, 1963, entitled, Snap Action Hair Clip, now abandoned.

This invention relates to snap action hair holding means and more particularly to such hair holding means of the type commonly known as bobby pins and also to hair holding means generically referred to as hair clips.

The snap action bobby pins, and the snap action hair clips, of this invention are easily operated, comfortable to wear and economical to manufacture. Also, the construction of the snap action bobby pins, and of the snap action hair clips, of this invention is such that they are easily manipulated by the user from open position to closed position and likewise from closed position to open position and remain in open position or in closed position, as desired, until ready for use by the wearer. The snap action bobby pins, and the snap action hair clips, of this invention are of such construction that they are always pleasingly and neatly appearing, 'both prior to use by the wearer and when positioned in closed position in the hair, irrespective of the number of times they are used.

Heretofore, bobby pins have been of such construction that they were diflicult to manipulate, that is, their legs were difficult to open for insertion in the hair, and the users of such prior known and available bobby pins have found it necessary to use their teeth, or other means, to separate the legs thereof. Also, in many cases with respect to said heretofore known bobby pins the users have used their fingernails to separate the legs with the result that the nails have become broken or otherwise damaged.

Each of the snap action bobby pins, and the snap action hair clips, of this invention has two arms connected at at least one of their end portions. More particularly, each of the snap action bobby pins and the snap action hair clips has a loop connection normally urging said arms towards each other. One of said arms has two first spacedapart strips, and two second spaced-apart strips transversely positioned with respect to said two first spacedapart strips, and said second spaced-apart strips connect said first spaced-apart strips. At least a longitudinal segment, or a portion, at one edge of each of said first two spaced-apart strips is made thinner than the adjacent segment, or portion, of the same strip by being worked upon by swedging, by peening, by cold rolling, or by any combination thereof. As the result of being so worked upon, said longitudinal segment at one edge of each of the first spaced-apart strips is placed under an expanding tension in relation to the adjacent segment of the same strip. Also, said two first spaced-apart strips have substantially smooth surfaces. Said arm, including said two first spaced-apart strips and said two second spaced-apart strips, assumes a bowed condition in one direction and can be snapped to a reverse bowed condition. When said arm is snapped so that its end points away from the other arm, it is in open condition. When it is snapped so that its end points towards the other arm, it is in closed position.

In the snap action bobby pins of this invention, the arms and the loop connection thereof are of substantially uniform width, the maximum width thereof being preferably about /1 inch.

An object of this invention is to provide a snap action bobby pin easily operated or manipulated, comfortable to wear, economical to manufacture, and pleasingly and neatly appearing prior to use by the wearer and also when positioned in operating or closed position in the wearers hair, irrespective of the number of times said bobby pin is used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap action bobby pin having its arms and loop connection of substantially uniform width and being easily operated or manipulated, comfortable to wear, economical to manufacture, and pleasingly and neatly appearing prior to use by the wearer and also when positioned in operating or closed position in the wearers hair, irrespective of the number of times said bobby pin is used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap action 'bobby pin having its arms and loop connection of substantially uniform width, the maximum width being preferably about inch, and being easily operated or manipulated, comfortable to wear, economical to manufacture, and pleasingly and neatly appearing prior to use by the wearer and also when positioned in operating or closed position in the wearers hair, irrespective of the number of times said bobby pin is used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a snap action hair clip easily operated or manipulated, comfortable to wear, economical to manufacture, and pleasingly and neatly appearing prior to use by the wearer and also when positioned in operating or closed position in the wearers hair, irrespective of the number of times said hair clip is used.

Other objects and features of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description which is merely illustrative of my preferred embodiments and is not limiting.

Like numbers designate like parts.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the snap action bobby pin of this invention in open position.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGUREI shown in open position.

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 1 shown in closed position.

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 1 in closed position gripping a lock of hair.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 77 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 88 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 9 is an enlargedview in cross-section taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view in crss-section taken on line -10 of FIGURE 4, line 10-10 and line 55 being through the same section of the snap action bobby pin shown in FIGURES 4 and 2, respectively.

FIGURE 11 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the snap action bobby pin of this invention in open position.

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 11 shown in open position.

FIGURE 13 is a front eievational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 11 shown in closed position.

FIGURE 14 is a view in perspective of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 11 in closed position gripping a lock of hair.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 15-15 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 16-16 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 17-17 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 18-18 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged view in crosssection taken on line 19-19 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 20 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 20-20 of FIGURE 14, line 20-20 and line 15-15 being through the same section of the snap action bobby pin shown in FIGURES 14 and 12, respectively.

FIGURE 21 is a view in perspective of another ernbodiment of the snap action bobby pin of this invention in open position.

FIGURE 22 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 21 shown in open position.

FIGURE 23 is a =front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 21 shown in closed position.

FIGURE 24 is a view in perspective of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 21 in closed position gripping a lock of hair.

FIGURE 25 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 25-25 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 26 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 26-26 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 27 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 27-27 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 28 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 28-28 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 29 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 29-29 of FIGURE 22.

FIGURE 30 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 30-30 of FIGURE 24, line 30-30 and line 25-25 being through the same section of the snap action bobby pin shown in FIGURES 24 and 22, respectively.

FIGURE 31 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the snap action bobby pin of this invention in open position.

FIGURE 32 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 31 shown in open position.

FIGURE 33 is a front elevational view of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 31 shown in closed position.

FIGURE 34 is a view in perspective of the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 31 in closed position gripping a lock of hair.

FIGU-RE 35 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 35-35 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 36 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 36-36 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 37 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 37-37 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 38 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 38-38 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 39 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 39-39 of FIGURE 32.

FIGURE 40 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 40-49 of FIGURE 34, line 40-40 and line 35-35 being through the same section of the snap action bobby pin shown in FIGURES 34 and 32, respectively.

FIGURE 41 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the snap action hair clip of this invention in open position.

FIGURE 42 is a front elevational view of the snap action hair clip of FIGURE 41 shown in open position.

FIGURE 43 is a front elevational view of the snap action hair clip of FIGURE 41 shown in closed position.

FIGURE 44 is a view in perspective of the snap action hair clip of FIGURE 41 in closed position gripping a lock of hair.

FIGURE 45 is an enlarged view in crosssection taken. on line 45-45 of FIGURE 42.

FIGURE 46 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 46-46 of FIGURE 42.

FIGURE 47 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 47-47 of FIGURE 42.

FIGURE 48 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 48-48 of FIGURE 42.

FIGURE 49 is an enlarged view in cross-section taken on line 49-49 of FIGURE 42.

FIGURE 50 is an enlarged View in cross-section taken on line 50-50 of FIGURE 44, line 59-50 and line 45-45 being through the same section of the snap action hair clip shown in FIGURES 44 and 42, respectiveiy.

FIGURE 51 is a perspective view of an arm of another embodiment of the snap action hair clip of this invention.

FIGURE 52 is a top plan view of a cut metal blank for forming the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 1 or the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 11 or the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 21 or the snap action bobby pin of FIGURE 31.

FIGURE 53 is a top plan view of a cut metal blank for forming the snap action hair clip of FIGURE 41.

FIGURE 54 is a bend diagram illustrating the formation of the snap action hair clip of FIGURE 41.

More specifically, there is provided snap action bobby pin 2 having arm 4, snap action arm 6 and loop portion 8 connecting and normally urging said arms 4 and 6 towards each other, all formed from cut sheet metal blank 10, clearly shown in FIGURE 52, and being of substantially uniform width, preferably a maximum width of about inch. Snap action arm includes two spacedapart strip members 12 and 14 and has longitudinally extending slit or slot 16 between said spaced-apart strip members 12 and 14. Slit or slot 16 is formed by stamping, lancing, piercing, or by a metal cutting saw. Spacedapart strip members 18 and 20 are transversely posi tioned, as is clearly shown in the appended drawings, with respect to strip members 12 and 14 and connect said strip members 12 and 14. To form snap action bobby pin 2, cut sheet metal blank 1!) is placed on an anvil member (not shown) and confined in a form (not shown), and arm 4, portion 8, strips 18 and 20 and segments, or portions 22 and 24 of strips 12 and 14, respectively, are held in a locating nest to prevent movement. Longitudinal segments, or portions, 26 and 28 of strips 12 and 14, respectively, said segments 26 and 28 being adjacent to segments 22 and 24, respectively, are worked upon by swedging, by peening, or by cold rolling, or by any combination thereof, and segments 26 and 28 are thinned and placed under an expanding tension in relation to the adjacent segments 22 and 24, respectively. Each of said segments, or portions 26 and 28 is so worked upon that the pattern of compression in one segment is similar to that of the other, said areas of compression 25 and 27 being in segments 26 and 28, respectively. So worked upon arm 6 assumes a bowed, or buckled, condition.

Loop 8 is formed by bending, surface 33 thereof being under compression and surface 35 thereof being under tension. Arm 4 is curved, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, in such a manner that its curvature is slightly less than the curvature of snap action arm 6 when snapped to closed position. The curvature of snap action arm 6 depends upon the width of each of the worked upon thinned segments 26 and 28 and upon the degree to which each of segments 26 and 28 is thinned, each being thinned at all or a portion of the space be tween connecting strips 18 and 20. Because of the curvature of arm 4 being less than the curvature of snap action arm 6 there is created pressure tension on the hair lock, or tuft, held in place by snap action bobby pin 2 in closed position. Snap action arm 6 is of such overall longitudinal dimension with respect to arm 4 that snap action arm 6 slightly overlaps arm 4, thereby allowing easy finger nail gripping thereof by the user for closing and opening bobby pin 2. As a result of having been so worked upon, each of segments 26 and 28 is progressively thinner between connecting strip members 18 and 2t) and adjacent segments 22 and 24, the thinnest portion being at the beginning of the bowed portion thereof. FIGURES 1 to 10, inclusive, are proportional illustrations of snap action bobby pin 2. As clearly shown in said appended drawings, so-worked upon thinned segment 26 varies gradually and progressively in its thinned compressed area from zero to approximately one-third of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 7, to approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 5, and then to to approximately one third of the width of strip 12. at the point shown in FIGURE 8 and back to zero. The width of strip 12 extends from outer edge to inner edge 38. Compressed area 25 is at its maximum depth where segment 26 is approximately twothirds of the width of strip 12, as clearly shown in FIGURE 5, and the low point of the curvature of bowed arm 6 in its open position is at the section thereof clearly shown in FIGURE 5. Likewise, so-worked upon segment 28 varies gradually and progressively to match segment 26 of strip 12, and compressed area 27 matches compressed area 25. The width of strip 14 extends from outer edge 32 to inner edge 40. As is clearly shown in the appended drawings segment 26 at edge 30 and segment 28 at edge 32 are each under an expanding tension in relation to segments 22 and 24, respectively. In using snap action bobby pin 2, bobby pin 2 is positioned, in its open position, in such a manner with respect to the hair lock, or tuft, that snap action arm 6 is above said hair lock and arm 4 is below said hair lock. Arm 6 is snapped into its reverse bowed condition, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, by application of a slight force at any point of the bowed portion. To release the lock of hair, arm 6 is merely snapped back to open position by application of a slight force in the opposite direction on finger grip portion 34.

Snap action bobby pin 36 of FIGURES 11 to 20, inclusive, differs from snap action bobby pin 2 in that segment 22 and 24, instead of segments 26 and 28, of arm 6 are subiected to swedging, peening, cold rolling, or any combination thereof at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Each of said segments, or portions, 22 and 24 is so worked upon that similar matching thinned compressed areas 5 and 7 are formed in segments 22 and 24, respectively. The curvature of snap action arm 6 depends upon the width of each of the worked upon thinned segments 22 and 24 and upon the degree to which each of segments 22 and 24 is thinned at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Because of having been so Worked upon, each of segments 22 and 24 is made progressively thinner between connecting strips 18 and 20 and adjacent segments 26 and 28, the thinnest portion being at the beginning of the bowed portion thereof. FIGURES 11 to 20, inclusive,

are proportional illustrations of snap action bobby pin 36. As clearly shown in said appended drawings, soworked upon thinned segment 22 varies gradually and progressively in its thinned compressed area 5 from zero to approximately one-third of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 17, to approximately twothirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIG- URE 15, and then to approximately one-third of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 18 and back to zero. The width of strip 12 extends from outer edge 30 to inner edge 38. Compressed area 5 is at its maximum depth where segment 22 is approximately twothirds of the width of strip 12, as clearly shown in FIG- URE l5, and the low point of the curvature of bowed arm 6 in its open position is at the section thereof clearly shown in FIGURE 15'. Likewise, so-worked upon thinned segment 24 varies gradually and progressively to match segment 22 of strip 12, and compressed area 7 matches compressed area 5. The width of strip 14 extends from outer edge 32 to inner edge 40. As is clearly shown in the appended drawings segment 22 at edge 38 and segment 24 at edge 40 are each under an expanding tension in relation to segments 26 and 28, respectively. In using snap action bobby pin 36, bobby pin 36 is positioned, in its open position, in such a manner with respect to the hair lock, or tuft, that snap action arm 6 is above said hair lock and arm 4 is below said hair lock. Arm 6 is snapped into its reverse bowed condition, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, by application of a slight force at any point of the bowed portion. To release the lock of hair, arm 6 is snapped back to open position by application of a slight force in the opposite direction on finger grip portion 34.

Snap action bobby pin 42 of FIGURES 21 to 30, inclusive, differs from snap action bobby pin 2 in that strip member 12, including segments 22 and 26, and strip member 14, including segments 24 and 28, are subjected to swedging, peening, or cold rolling, or any combination thereof at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Each of said strips 12 and 14 is so worked upon that similar matching thinned compressed areas 15 and 17 are formed in strips 12 and 14, respectively. The curvature of snap action arm 6 depends upon the width of each of the worked upon thinned strips 12 and 14 and upon the degree to which each of strips 12 and 14 is thinned at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Because of having been so worked upon, each of strips 12 and 14 is made progressively thinner between strips 18 and 29, the thinnest portion being at the beginning of the bowed portion thereof. FIGURES 21 to 30, inclusive, are proportional illustrations of snap action bobby pin 42. As clearly shown in said appended drawings, so-worked upon thinned strip 12 varies gradually and progressively in its thinned compressed area 15 from zero to approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 27, to the full width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 25, and then to approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 28 and back to zero. The width of strip 12 extends from outer edge 30 to inner edge 38. Compressed area 15 is at its maximum depth at the section clearly shown in FIGURE 25. Thinned strip 14 varies gradually and progressively to match strip 12, and compressed area 17 matches compressed area 15. The width of strip 14 extends from outer edge 32 to inner edge 40. As is clearly shown in the appended drawings segment 26 at edge 30 and segment 28 at edge 32 are each under an expanding tension in relation to segments 22 and 24, respectively. In using snap action bobby pin 42, bobby pin 42 is positioned, in its open position, in such a manner with respect to the hair lock, or tuft, that snap action arm 6 is above said hair look and arm 4 is below said hair lock. Arm 6 is snapped into its reverse bowed condition, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, by application of a slight force at any point of the bowed portion. To release the lock of hair, arm 6 is snapped back to open position by application of a slight force in the opposite direction on finger grip portion 34.

Snap action bobby pin 44 of FIGURES 31 to 40, inclusive, differs from snap action bobby pin 2 in that strip member 12, including segments 22 and 26, and strip member 14, including segments 24 and 28, are subjected to swedging, peening, or cold rolling, or any combination thereof at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Each of said strips 12 and 14 is so worked upon that similar matching thinned compressed areas 45 and 47 are formed in strips 12 and 14, respectively. The curvature of snap action arm 6 depends upon the width of each of the worked upon thinned strips 12 and 14 and upon the degree to which each of strips 12 and 14 is thinned at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips 18 and 20. Because of having been so worked upon. each of strips 12 and 14 is made progressively thinner between strips 18 and 20, the thinnest portion being at the beginning of the bowed portion thereof. FIGURES 31 to 40; inclusive, are proportional illustrations of snap action bobby pin 44. As clearly shown in said appended drawings, so-worked upon thinned strip 12 varies gradually and progressively in its thinned compressed area 45 from zero to approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 37, to the full width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 35, and then to approximately twothirds of the width of strip 12, at the point shown in FIGURE 38 and back to zero. The width of strip 12 extends from outer edge 30- to inner edge 38. Compressed area 45 is at its maximum depth at the section thereof clearly shown in FIGURE 35. Thinned strip 14 varies gradually and progressively to match strip 12, and compressed area 47 matches compressed area 45. The width of strip 14 extends from outer edge 32 to inner edge 40. As is clearly shown in the appended drawings segment 22 at edge 38 and segment 24 at edge 46 are each under an expanding tension in relation to segments 26 and 28, respectively. In using snap action bobby pin 44, bobby pin 44 is positioned, in its open position, in such a manner with respect to the hair lock, or tuft, that snap action arm 6 is above said hair lock and arm 4 is. below said hair lock. Arm 6 is snapped into its reverse bowed condition, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, by application of a slight force at any point of the bowed portion. To release the lock of hair, arm 6 is snapped back to open position by application of a slight force in the opposite direction on finger grip portion 34.

Also within the scope of this invention is snap action hair clip 46 having arm 48 and snap action arm 50 formed from out sheet metal blank 52, clearly shown in FIGURE 53. Snap action arm 50 includes two spaced-apart strip members 54 and 56 and has longitudinally extended slot 58 between said spaced-apart strip members 54 and 56. Slot 58 is formed preferably by stamping. Spaced-apart strip members 60 and 62 are transversely positioned, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, with respect to strip members 54 and S6 and connect strip members 54 and 56. To form snap action hair clip 46-, cut sheet metal blank 52 is placed on an anvil member (not shown) and confined in a form (not shown). Portion 78, including arm 48 and portion 88, strips 60 and 62, and segments, or portions 68 and 70 of strips 54 and 56, respectively, of arm 50 are held in a locating nest to prevent movement. Segments, or portions, 64 and 66 of strips 54 and 56, respectively, said segments 64' and 66 being adjacent to segments 68 and 70, respectively, are worked upon by swedging, by peening, or by cold rolling, or by any combination thereof, and segments, or portions, 64 and 66 are thinned and placed under an expanding tension in relation to the adjacent segments 68 and 70', respectively. Each of said segments 64 and 66 is so worked upon that the pattern of compression in one segment is similar to that of the other, said areas of compression 55 and 57 being in segments 64 and 66, respectively. So-worked upon arm 50 assumes a bowed, or buckled, condition. Blank 52 is bent to form bend 76, and portion 78, in-

eluding arm 48, coincides with line 76, 80. Bend 82 is formed, and arm 48 is formed to coincide with line 82, 84. Portion 78 is bent over snap action arm at bend 86, and portion 88 is squeezed against connecting strip 60. The curvature of snap action arm 50 depends upon the width of each of the worked upon thinned segments 64 and 66 and upon the degree to which each of said segments 64 and 66 is thinned, each being thinned at all or a portion of the space between connecting strips and 62. As a result of having been so worked upon, each of segments 64 and 66 of arm 56 is progressively thinner between connecting strips 60 and 62 and adjacent segments 68 and 79, the thinnest portion being at the beginning of the bowed portion thereof. FIGURES 41 and 50, inclusive, are proportional illustrations of snap action hair clip 46. As clearly shown in said appended drawings, so-worked upon thinned segment 64 varies gradually and progressively in its thinned compressed area 55 from zero to approximately one-third of the width of strip 54, at the point shown in FIGURE 47, to approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 54, at the point shown in FIGURE 45, and then to approximately onethird of the width of strip 54, at the point shown in FIGURE 48 and back to Zero. The width of strip 54 extends from inner edge 72 to outer edge 73. Compressed area 55 is at its maximum depth where segment 64 is approximately two-thirds of the width of strip 54, as clearly shown in FIGURE 45, and the low point of curvature of bowed arm 50, in its open position, is at the section thereof clearly shown in FIGURE 45. Likewise, so-worked upon segment 66 varies gradually and progressively to match segment 64 of strip 54, and compressed area 57 matches compressed area 55. The width of strip 56 extends from inner edge 74 to outer edge 75. As is clearly shown in the appended drawings segment 66 at edge 74 and segment 64 at edge 72 are each under an expanding tension in relation to segments and 68, respectively. In using snap action hair clip 46, hair clip 46 is positioned, in its open position, in such a manner with respect to the hair lock, or tuft, that snap action arm 50 is above said hair lock and arm 48 is below said hair lock. Arm 50 is snapped into its reverse bowed condition, as clearly shown in the appended drawings, by application of a slight force at any point of the bowed portion. To release the lock of hair, arm 50 is snapped back to open position by application of a slight force in the opposite direction on finger grip portion 90.

Also within the scope of this invention are snap action hair clips made from blank 52, wherein a compressed area is formed in each of strips 54 and 56 similar to those formed in strips 12 and 14 of snap action bobby pin 2, wherein compressed areas are formed in strips 54 and 56 similar to those formed in strips 12 and 14 of snap action bobby pin 42, and wherein compressed areas are formed in strips 54 and 56 similar to those formed in strips 12 and 14 of snap action bobby pin 44. In snap action hair clip 46 compressed areas 55 and 57 in strips 54 and 56, respectively, are similar to compressed areas 5 and 7 in strips 12 and 14, respectively, of snap action bobby pin 36.

Referring to FIGURE 51 of the appended drawings, arm 92 is used in place of arm 48 in each of the hereinbefore described snap action hair clips. Arm 92 has two spaced-apart members, or strips, 94 and 96 between connecting member, or strip, 98 and has bends 76,

and 82, as in arm 48. Also, arm 92 has a configuration similar to the configuration of arm 48.

In each of the hereinbefore described embodiments the thinned strips are preferably positioned in directly opposing relationship to each other and are preferably similar in cross-section. Thusly, the exposed edge and adjacent thinned portion of one side is similar to the exposed edge and adjacent thinned portion of the other side in contour and length.

Each of the embodiments of this invention is preferably made of metal, as hereinbefore set forth. However, synthetic plastic materials, including thermoplastic organic material, can be used therefor. Also contemplated to be within the scope of this invention are snap action hair holding means made by a molding process.

Many alterations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is set forth in the appended claims which are to be construed as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A snap action bobby pin comprising a pair of opposing arms and a loop connection normally urging said arms towards each other, one of said arms comprising two first spaced-apart strips and two second spaced-apart strips transversely positioned with respect to said first spaced-apart strips, said second spaced-apart strips connecting said first spaced-apart strips, a longitudinal segment at one edge of each of said two first spaced-apart strips being under an expanding tension in relation to the adjacent segment of the same strip, said longitudinal segment being thinner than said adjacent segment, said two first spaced-apart strips having substantially smooth surfaces, whereby said one arm assumes a bowed condition and can be snapped to a reverse bowed condition.

2. The snap action bobby pin of claim 1 wherein said 1G arms and said loop connection are of substantially uniform width.

3. The snap action bobby pin of claim 1 wherein each of said arms and said loop connection has a maximum width of about inch.

4. A snap action hair clip comprising two arms connected at one of their end portions, one of said arms comprising two first spaced-apart strips and two second spacedapart strips transversely positioned with respect to said first spaced-apart strips, said second spaced-apart strips connecting said first spaced-apart strips, a longitudinal segment at one edge of each of said two first spaced-apart strips being under an expanding tension in relation to the adjacent segment of the same strip, said longitudinal segment being thinner than said adjacent segment, said two first spaced-apart strips having substantially smooth surfaces, whereby said one arm assumes a bowed condition and can be snapped to a reverse bowed condition.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 957,327 5/1964 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner. 

